Abstract: A personal care composition in the form of a hair or skin-treating gel containing an amount of a synthetic linearly viscoelastic cross-linked polymeric thickening agent, especially a cross-linked methyl vinyl ether/maleic anhydride copolymer, effective to render the composition linearly viscoelastic, and a method of promoting personal care by applying an effective amount of the composition to the hair or skin.

Abstract: Oral composition containing an effective amount of N-methylpyrrolidone alone or in combination with a noncationic antibacterial agent such as Triclosan for topical application for the prevention of plaque, gingivitis and/or caries.

Abstract: An antiplaque composition comprising a bacteriocin such as nisin and a polyphosphonate.

Abstract: Lecithin or certain other phosphate esters are added to a non-aqueous liquid heavy duty laundry detergent composition in the form of a suspension of builder salt in liquid nonionic surfactant containing small amounts of low density filler, such as hollow plastic or glass microspheres to provide stabilization against phase separation and further containing a small amount of organophilic modified clay, such as a water-swellable smectite clay, in which the metal cations are totally or partially exchanged with mono- or di-long chain quaternary ammonium compound to provide a viscoelastic network structure. The lecithin reduces plastic viscosity and helps maintain the viscoelastic network structure over extended periods of time.

Abstract: An absorbent article comprising a base sheet of fluid impervious material, a top sheet of fluid pervious non-woven material, and an absorbent pad disposed between the top sheet and the base sheet. The top sheet is secured to the base sheet along the periphery thereof. The absorbent pad has a central portion and two side panels folded under the top sheet and over the central panel. A binder secures the side panels to the central panel to render the central panel more absorbent.

Abstract: A disposable napkin-knickers comprises an impermeable support sheet, an absorbent wad and a fluid permeable upper sheet of two distinct elastic systems on each side of said napkin knickers. The first system is disposed between said support sheet and the wad and is wider than the second elastic system. The second elastic system is of a more stretchable material than the first elastic system.

Abstract: The anti-gel and dispersibility properties of a nonaqueous liquid nonionic surfactant laundry detergent composition are improved by the addition of hexylene glycol to the composition. The addition of hexylene glycol reduces the plastic viscosity of the composition with little or no adverse affect on yield stress value of the composition or adverse affect on the physical stability of the composition. The addition of hexylene glycol and propylene carbonate to the nonionic surfactant composition substantially reduces the apparent viscosity of the composition and substantially improves the dispersibility of the composition.

Abstract: A fabric softening and antistatic liquid laundry detergent composition includes synthetic anionic organic detergent, bentonite and higher aliphatic isostearamide antistat in an aqueous medium. The liquid detergent composition preferably contains a builder for the detergent component, such as polyphosphate and/or carbonate. Also within the invention is a process for washing and drying laundry, utilizing the described liquid detergent in the washing operation, whcih produces laundry that is soft and static-free or of low electrostatic charge despite having been subjected to a tumble drying process or similar static charging drying process, which normally causes laundry of similar fabrics to become electrostatically charged, resulting in objectionable "static cling".

Abstract: The physical stability and rheological properties variations of liquid gel-like compositions based on montmorillonite, attapulgite, hectorite or other inorganic colloid-forming clay or other thixotropic thickener are greatly improved by incorporating in the composition small amounts, such as about 1.0 weight percent, of polyacrylic acid polymers or copolymers and their salts and small amounts, such as 0.2 or 0.4 weight percent, of calcium, magnesium, aluminum or zinc stearate or other polyvalent metal salt of long chain fatty acid. The aqueous compositions containing inorganic builder salts and other functional inorganic salts, chlorine bleach, bleach-stable detergent, thixotropic thickener, and polyacrylic acid polymers and copolymers and their salts and polyvalent metal salt of a fatty acid as physical stabilizers remain stable against rheological properties variations with time and phase separation for periods in excess of twelve weeks under a wide range of temperatures.

Abstract: A liquid heavy duty laundry detergent composition comprising a suspension of builder salt in nonaqueous liquid surfactant in which the high temperature cleaning performance of the composition is improved by the addition of an amphoteric surface active agent. The cleaning performance of the composition at cleaning temperatures above 60.degree. C. is substantially improved.

Abstract: A non-aqueous liquid heavy duty laundry detergent composition in the form of a suspension of builder salt in liquid nonionic surfactant is stabilized against phase separation by the addition of small amounts of low density filler, such as hollow plastic or glass microspheres. The low density particulate filler is added in an amount to equalize the densities of the continuous liquid phase and the dispersed phase. Further stabilization against phase separation under strong vibration conditions is provided by addition of a small amount of organophilic modified clay, such as a water-swellable smectite clay in which the metal cations are total or partially exchanged with mono- or di-long chain quaternary ammonium compound.

Abstract: Stable easily pourable aqueous fabric softening compositions based on all natural ingredients, including lecithin as the fabric softening agent and sorbic acid as preservative and saponin as emulsifier are provided. The softening component comprises from about 2 to 20% by weight of the composition. Sorbic acid and saponin are present in amounts of 0.1 to 5% and 0.1 to 2%, respectively. The compositions are stable at pH's ranging from 4.5 to 5 and higher. Methods for making the composition are also described. Softening performance is comparable to that obtained by using quaternary ammonium compound softeners. The softener compositions are primarily intended for use in the rinse cycle of an automatic washing machine.

Abstract: Stable easily pourable aqueous fabric softening compositions based on water-dispersible lecithin are provided. The softening component comprises from about 1-20% by weight of the composition. Methods for making the composition are also described. Softening performance is comparable to that obtained by using quaternary ammonium compound softeners. The softener compositions are primarily intended for use in the rinse cycle of an automatic washing machine.

Abstract: A macro salt complex of an acid terminated nonionic surfactant and a quaternary ammonium surface active agent provide improved detergent and fabric softening properties for built nonaqueous liquid nonionic surfactant laundry detergent compositions. The fabric softening properties of the compositions can be improved while maintaining or improving the detergent properties of the composition. The macro salt complex can be used in liquid nonionic surfactant heavy duty detergents and in powder detergent compositions.

Abstract: An animal waste collection pad having a backing sheet of fluid impervious material, a non-woven top sheet thereon. An absorbent pad is disposed on the backing sheet and the pad contains a scent, attractive to dogs. The scent may be provided by a frangible capsule, a micro encapsulated scent incorporated in the pad or a spray applied to the pad. There are tapes or drawstrings attached to the backing sheet for tying the animal waste collection pad into a small compact package for disposal.

Abstract: A liquid heavy duty laundry detergent composition comprising a suspension of polyphosphate builder salt in liquid nonionic surfactant. To improve stability against settling on standing, the composition contains also a small amount of an acidic organic phosphorus compound having an acidic --POH group, such as a partial ester of phosphoric acid and an alkanol.

Abstract: A heavy duty detergent composition having incorporated therein an acetylated sugar ether which provides bleach activation, detergency boosting and fabric softening properties to the detergent composition. The acetylated sugar ether contains at least two long chain alkyl groups. The acetylated sugar ether acts as a bleach activator by reacting with a bleaching agent, such as sodium perborate monohydrate, to generate peracetic acid. Following perhydrolysis, the compound acts as a detergency booster. The presence of a least two long chain alkyl groups induces absorption onto the fibers and a softening effect is obtained.

Abstract: A liquid laundry detergent composition containing an alkali metal dithionite or sulfite reduction bleaching agent. The preferred compositions are nonaqueous liquids based on liquid nonionic surfactants and include a detergent builder salt suspended in the liquid nonionic surfactant. The alkali metal dithionite or alkali metal sulfite reduction bleaching agent can also be used as the bleaching agent in powdered or granular detergent compositions.

Abstract: The detergency of a nonionic surfactant-cationic fabric softener/antistatic agent composition is significantly increased by the addition of a sulfosuccinamate compound such as tetrasodium N-(1,2-dicarboxyethyl) N-alkyl(C.sub.10 -C.sub.

Abstract: A liquid heavy duty laundry detergent composition comprising a suspension of builder salt in liquid nonionic surfactant in which the stability against settling of the composition is improved by the addition of small amounts of a higher alkyl quaternary ammonium surface active agent. The yield stress of the compositions can be improved with the same or lower plastic viscosity, especially at low concentrations of the alkyl quaternary ammonium surface active agent.